Zoom G2.1Nu

The Zoom G2.1Nu is a guitar multi-effects pedal from the G2 family, announced in March 2010. It takes what Zoom describes as the performance, tone and functionality of the G2 and adds a built-in expression pedal for hands-free control of effects such as volume, wah or pitch while you play¹. It sits alongside its sibling, the G2Nu, which shares the same core but without the expression pedal¹.

What it does

At its heart the G2.1Nu models twenty types of guitar amps and stomp boxes, which Zoom says offer finely tuned sonic qualities including gain settings and harmonic character overdrive and distortion sounds¹. In practice that means one pedal can stand in for a collection of drive pedals and amp heads, covering the overdrive and distortion territory most players build a board around. On top of the modeling, it ships with 100 preset guitar sounds ready to call up, and 20 of those presets were created by world-renowned guitarist Steve Vai¹.

The built-in expression pedal is what separates the G2.1Nu from the G2Nu: it gives enhanced control over the sound under your foot, the kind of real-time sweeps that a fixed pedal cannot offer¹.

Power and price

Power is flexible. MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen notes that the pedal runs from six AA batteries or the supplied 9V DC power adaptor, and that it can alternatively be powered from a USB connection². For a player who moves between practice room, gig and computer, that means no single power solution is required.

The review gives street prices under £100 GBP as of the review's publication².

What reviewers said

MusicRadar's verdict on the G2.1Nu and its sibling was straightforward:

That positions the G2.1Nu as an all-in-one unit for a player who wants amp models, effects and presets in a single pedal, at a price aimed at tighter budgets, with the USB connection and computer recording use covered alongside stage and practice duty².

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